The use of low ‐ temperature crystallization in the determination of component acids of liquid fats. IV. Marine animal oils. The component acids and glycerides of a grey (atlantic) seal

Abstract

Abstract Preliminary crystallization of the mixed fatty acids of marine animal oils from acetone at —60°, followed by ether at —30° or —40°, resolves them into groups, differing widely in unsaturation, which can then be esterified and fractionally distilled. This procedure has great advantages compared with the lithium and lead salt separations which were previously employed. The method has been applied to the component acids, and also to the component glycerides, of the blubber oil of a grey seal ( Halichoerus grypus ). The composition of the fatty acids of seal blubber oil varies over a somewhat wider range than obtains in the fatty oils of some other marine species. The glycerides belong to the extremely ‘“mixed” type characteristic of marine animal oils. The seal liver contained less than 3% of lipids, which consisted of 29%’ phosphatides, 21% unsaponifiable matter and 50% glycerides 5 the liver glycerides contained a less unsaturated mixture of fatty acids than the blubber glycerides and also a higher content of saturated fatty acids.